Rita Odafe
Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, a prominent Nigerian comedian known as Ali Baba, has revealed the financial demands associated with various political positions in Nigeria.
In a conversation addressing the prevalence of corruption in Nigerian politics, Ali Baba shared his insights during an interview on the OUTSIDE THE BOX podcast.
According to Ali Baba, the cost to secure a senatorial position is approximately N1.2 billion, while the governorship can range from N20 billion to N25 billion in certain states.
He characterized Nigerian politics as highly capital-intensive, which he believes is fueling the corruption crisis in the nation.
The seasoned comedian also criticized political figures in Nigeria for neglecting the needs of the populace, opting instead to pursue initiatives that generate funding they can exploit during elections.
“To secure a senatorial role, you’re looking at around N1.2 billion. For a House of Representatives position, it’s another billion,” he noted.
“For a State Assembly seat, you require about N500 million. The cost of governorship varies by state; for Delta State, it could be around N20 billion, while in Rivers State, it may reach N25 billion. In some northern states, it might be anywhere from N4 to N6 billion.”
“It’s a costly endeavor, which contributes significantly to corruption in our nation today. Once someone is elected, they often don’t prioritize educational improvements unless there’s a financial gain to be achieved as elections approach,” he explained.
Check out the video below:
